What’s in my bag? (The raw, unedited version)

Being a voyeur, I love seeing what people fit into their handbags. This is especially true of smaller bags. Not being one for a small bag myself, I am always curious to know how people manage to carry their daily essentials in a tiny little bag. Me? I used to lug around gigantic sacks, filled to the brim with everything, including the kitchen sink.

Recently, thanks to a poorly back and shoulders, I’ve cut back. So over the weekend, as I finally got round to switching things out of my regular daily handbag to another one, it struck me that I’d never done a “What’s in my bag?” post.

So basically, I go around perving at what other people stuff in their bags but haven’t shared what I put in mine. Well, let’s remedy that shall we? 😀

It’s subtle (doesn’t scream the brand at anyone unless you really peer at it), the colour goes with everything, the shape goes from day to night and importantly, it fits a ton of stuff. Granted it then weighs me down, but when I need to carry a ton of stuff with me, this does the job while looking unruffled or bulky.

The other thing I have to mention is just how durable and wonderful the leather is. It’s soft yes, but importantly durable. I’ve been bashing this around for half a year, not babying it, placing it anywhere and everywhere, getting it caught on doorknobs and everywhere, and it still looks amazing! The leather hasn’t scratched, nor has the metal hardware tarnished nor scratched. I love it and it is for this reason I find myself taking a second and third look at what Gucci has to offer. As a brand, it’s isn’t as popular – AND I LIKE THAT! 😀

So, what have I been lugging around then? I decided to tip out all the contents of my bag for posterity so you get the raw, unedited version of what’s in my bag 😀

Long wallet – LV Insolite Damier Ebene. Fits a ton, and looks slim and elegant while being a workhorse.

A phone charger – I could carry a powerbank, but I’m hardcore like this LOL! Bought a plug head that can fit a USB cable, and received a USB charging cable for Christmas from a dear dear friend, which turned out to be the best present ever!

Receipts – The inside of my bag is a mess of receipts and bits of paper. Please tell me I’m not alone!

Phone – Self-explanatory and housed in a bright red case so I can spot it inside the bag. If you’re wondering, it’s a Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Sunglasses – Lasik-ed eyes are sensitive to sunlight and it’s good practice to wear sunnies. Minimizes sun and UV damage to the sensitive eyes, and prevents you from squinting in the sun and getting crow’s feet!

Cheque book and red packet – Have had to write a lot of cheques recently. Boohoo! Money flowing out faster than water! The red packet was one I’d neglected to remove since the Chinese New Year. I usually carry one around for luck during the festive season.

Pens – 2 of them because I’m kiasu that way!

Panty liner – What? Does no one carry one for emergencies?! 😛

Earrings – I surprised myself here as much as you are. So, that’s where they went!

A stray 10 sen coin – I told you this was raw and unedited!

Pouch with keys – Different keys for different purposes get their own pouches. This is one of them and I forgot to include another key pouch for even more keys.

2 card holders – One for the blog, one for work. I like keeping my life separate. In case you’re wondering, the colourful pouch is the work one and the black is for the blog, because I’m contrary that way.

A stray lipbalm – It escaped from the makeup pouch somehow! It’s the Fresh Rose lip balm and it’s surprisingly nice so it’s one of the few lip balms I’d voluntarily wear.

A stray lipstick – I don’t know how this one escaped from the pouch either but it’s Guerlain Rouge G Madame Batifole which explains why my bag weighs a ton. I have 3 Guerlain Rouge G lipsticks in there 😛

On a day when I have to attend events, I fit my DSLR in there alongside house keys and car keys. Yes, the full size DSLR fits quite easily although it does weigh the bag down. Oh but this particular bag doesn’t suffer from a case of “saggy butt syndrome” which is another reason I like it! 😀

Did you expect me to carry more stuff or less stuff? 😛

I notice a lot of people have mints or tissue paper or notebooks or tablets or headphones while I have erm… crumpled receipts, a phone charger and pantyliners. Go psycho-analyse that eh? 😉

So, what’s in YOUR bag daily? Do you like toting a large bag or a small, organized one?

And no, I never got the hang of using a bag organizer so it’s out of the question. I now go for medium sized bags. Large and oversized bags are now a thing of the past, as I try to cull the amount of junk I carry daily. It’s better for the back too!

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Oh yay! Thanks for assuring me I’m not the only disorganized person out there Stephanie hehe… I try to clear stuff out weekly too but often, it just doesn’t happen 😛 Which reminds me, my wallet is overdue a receipt-purge!

So that’s why I saw a vague shape of a flying pig this morning. PB did a what’s in my bag! 😛
I love it. Love the stray earrings and everything. I need pouches for my stuff. I rarely use a bag organiser anymore because my wallet and other stuff always ends up outside the organiser. An iPod and earphones are essential in my bag to keep the crazies away at trains and buses. 😛

hahahha! Did you shoot it down and have bacon? 😛 I have the exact problem re: organizers. Half the time, my stuff are located outside the organiser and then it just turns into a dumping ground! I find pouches help me stay a little more organised especially with keys. Boy do those take up space and weight!

Actually that’s true. The reason I stopped carrying a powerbank was because the charging cable was different. But now I have a new charging cable, I should get back to carrying a power bank for emergencies. These phablets really eat up battery power!

Your bag’s content is almost similar (including pantyliner, not for emergency but as necessities :D) with mine but I fit mine in small pouch with string (freebies from Clinique, hehe) – yeah, I’m in that mysterious group who carry lots of things in small size, probably like Doraemon LOL

I usually clean out the content regularly, especially when there are too many receipts and small papers successfully blocking the rest of content. Regular stuff you can find in my small pouch is a small wallet (the type that guys usually use and can fit easily in jeans pocket, I don’t like those long wallets), my mobile (similar like yours :D), USB drive, a slim external harddisk, a mobile charger, a lip product (lip balm/lipstick), pantyliners (plural, of course), keys, stray coins, a pen (you never know when you need to write down something), receipts. When I travel, I will put additional things: facial wipes, a small tube of hand cream, a small jar of moisturizer.

I used to put my glasses case but ever since after I checked my eyes and there’s no need to continously wear my glasses as my prescription is quite low so no more glasses case in my pouch 😀

Hahaha I love how so many of us do carry around pantyliners! I actually also carry a pad but it got used LOL! I usually slip these things into the inner zip pocket. I never know what those pockets are for anyway so I keep my pads in there – helps prevent embarrassing moments of pulling out stuff and having a pad fall out LOL

I’m always amazed at anyone who can carry a small wallet! I started out with one but couldn’t keep up with it because I just have too much stuff in there LOL Oh and I usually carry a portable hard disk too! Wasn’t in the picture coz I’d taken it out and forgotten to put it back. I think so many of us are alike in so many ways 😀

This post is so fun to read!! I used to carry a bag organizer around until I find it doesn’t make me organized well because I still throw everything into the organizer which I ended up still searching for my keys! LOL.

And you’re definitely not alone on those receipts! I have tons of them inside my bag and I had to clear it off every week. (I try :p)

I am more a pharmacy-like in my handbag. Besides carrying my heavy makeup bag, I had tons of medicines in – ‘po chai’ pill, panadols, painkiller, tons of tissue and sanitary pad >.<

Precisely my sentiments about using a bag organizer! Half the time, I’m still digging around and it never keeps my organised 😛 I can’t believe you carry medication around! You’re a right girl scout – always prepared! 😀

I tend to go for small crossbody bags, so when I go out, all I fit in there are my wallet, phone, student ID, keys, and perhaps a lip balm or lipstick. That’s it. I used to bring a lot of things when I used a larger bag — but it was horrible for my shoulders, so now I’ve downsized, and discovered that I rarely need anything other than what I listed above. 🙂

Good on you for going minimalist Emy! 😀 On weekends, I’m pretty minimalist too – just my wallet, sunnies, keys and a foldable recycle bag so it does all fit into smaller bags that I tote about on weekends but weekdays, oh boy! Different story altogether LOL

HAHAHA! I hope no unsavoury images came up >.< It's useful having a pad and pantyliner in your bag! I keep them in the inner zip pocket (I never know what else to put in there anyway and it helps prevent embarrassing accidents 😛 )

Thanks Shannen! How on earth do you get a bag organiser to stay put in the Longchamp?! I tried once but it was just flopping all over and being a mess so I gave up. Wonda Oil LOL! I love the sound of that and it’s so handy too!

I LOVE posts like these! “What’s in my bag” “What’s on my dresser” “What’s in my travel skincare pouch” LOL Would never tire of reading such posts 😀 Moreeeeee!!

You are definitely not alone on #4, reading the comments above ;D If I leave my bag uncleaned for 2 weeks.. it turns into a receipt haven.

I am truly amazed at how much the Boston bag can swallow.. on top of what you already have, it fits a DSLR AND doesn’t sag? *applause* I find that Gucci leather is one of the more durable luxury ones (LV too!).. I’ve been disappointed even by Chanel (their caviar is excellent but the calfskin.. not so much and let’s not even talk about the lambskin- beautiful but too much work to keep it pretty!). So for the price Gucci bags go for, they are really a good investment.

Like you, I’ve been going for medium-sized bags lately (preferably with an option to tote/sling), if it’s too small, it doesnt fit my essentials.. too big and I find myself looking for more things to put in LOL *Bag problems*

Haha thanks Xen I’m glad you enjoyed this. I think it’s that nosey kepoh in all of us yes? 😉 I know! I thought there would be people saying they were organised with their receipts but evidently not eh? This bag is amazing I swear and it doesn’t even look big at all which is another reason why I love it so much! I love how underrated Gucci is because it just means I get to be a little different from the norm (and they go on sale! YAY!) and I so feel ya about lambskin! I’ve sworn off all lambskin bags because they don’t only scratch easily, they sag and stretch easily too! For Chanel I think the caviar leather is best albeit not the most luxurious looking.

I use a bag organizer because I like swapping my bags out every once a while and it makes the transfer easier. I carry sanitary pads and panty liners too so you’re not alone. Can’t believe you have 3 Guerlain Rouge G’s in there and haven’t broke your back yet.

You’re actually very right about an organiser making it easier to swap out bags. Might explain why I hold onto a bag for so long. Swapping stuff out takes too long LOL! I know I was wondering why my bag was so heavy tipped it out and tada! 3 Rouge G I gotta be mad

I need a big (organized) bag to cart my stuff around = a fan of bag organizers. I need all the help I can get to “efficiently” find things in the black hole of a big handbag. With the multiple side pockets and an open space in the center, almost everything has a fit and place in the organizer.
I say almost because my cosmetic pouch (with 2 mini lip palettes, a lip balm and a lip gloss + pain & emergency stomach medication + a swiss army knife) is separate. Apart from the wallet, money clip, phones, x 3 card holders (I’m kiasu and carry all my loyalty cards with me – who knows when I may need them), there are 2 sets of keys, 2 pen holders (more kiasu), a little pouch containing tampons, a coin purse, a pelican hair clip, a back up scrunchy for the gym, more lip sticks/gloss, tissues, wet wipes and yes.. a perpetual stash of receipts waiting to be cleared.

The scary thing is, I find a bag organiser makes me more disorganised coz I just end up stuffing things into the sides of the bag anyway! Which organiser are you using? Maybe it’s my wallet too – it’s too big for most organisers so I always have to put it on the side and I also find that bag organisers work best in a slightly more structured bag. In a slouchy bag, it flops over and I’ve had an organiser totally go upside down in one of my slouchier bags! LOL I love that you carry a swiss army knife! I used to till I lost mine but it’s great – you never ever know when it comes in handy 😀

My 1st organizer was a faux animal print (yucks) rash buy from Groupon (buy 2 in a set but I gave 1 away). It served me well – and it stayed quite put. I think a slightly more structured bag helped but the sheer weight of the stuff in the organizer also contributed to it staying anchored to the bottom of the bag. When the faux animal it got a bit tatty and the little handle broke, I used that as an excuse to pick up a light beige jute like organizer from Isetan at the Garden – their arty farty home stuff floor. That’s been holding up pretty well for me. A lot faster changing from one big handbag to another big handbag – especially during the weekends when I lug around a very less formal handbag.
PS – The SAK is definitely very useful. The only time my handbag parts with it is on planes..

Ah that sounds like a very good organizer – the jute one not the animal print one heh… I have to agree that a bag within a bag makes it so much easier to switch things around and also helps rotate bags. Otherwise, you just don’t get your cost per wear!

I don’t carry my bank cards separately. But yes, you know what! I ALWAYS carry the angpow from my parents (usually they are the first one who give to me every year) in my purse for good luck (all year round). Then I change until I get the next angpow next year. Kiasu to the max, right? hahaha. Yes Yes panty liner is a must!!! I also carry a pad…you’ll never know when you need it, or when a girl friend is in need of it. hehe

I also have hair ties, hair pins, and a whistle (for emergency like when being robbed??!?? Touch wood that should never happen!). There are so many little things in my bag which would take some time to transfer to a new bag. So in short, I don’t like to rotate my handbag. Just use it until it’s good to go. HAHA. I’ve had major incidents when I changed a bag:

(1) I had forgotten my purse. DAMN! I was at the cashier only to find out I am without any money. Have had to tell the cashiers to hold my stuff, drove all the way back home to get it. Waste of patrol and time. Perhaps I should have kept the bank card separately from the main purse like you… hmm…

(2) I had forgotten my purse again!! I was already at the airport, leisurely drinking coffee with mum and dad and before saying goodbye, I said I would pay for coffee and cakes. Then oh oh… WHERE IS MY PURSE??!??! Luckily, my brother could bring it to me all the way from home to the airport on time.

Sadly yes 8 lipsticks. It’s all I ever carry in my makeup pouch so I’m going to consciously downsize my pouch so I can fit and therefore carry less 😛 Ooh I was told it was good luck to carry the ang pow throughout CNY but I think I’m going to put one into my bag for everyday now – I can use all the luck I can get hahaha! I usually have a pad in there too but this one didn’t get replenished 😛

Gosh what an adventure with your missing wallet and at the airport! *gasp* I’d have panicked like crazy! Interesting that you mention missing wallets though. I usually switch my bags out on weekends and the items that travel are the wallet usually. The other day, I took out my wallet and forgot to put it back into the bag. It wasn’t until 2 days later when I had to pay for parking that I realised I’d left my wallet in my other bag! Panic! Lucky I met a friend who I could bum off a couple of RM to pay the parking but I was still driving with my license. When I got home the first thing I did was to get my wallet and put it back into the bag. What a scare!

Your bag is infinitely filled with more sane amounts of stuff than mine is, which has me a little concerned. I can’t do small bags. I’ve tried and been left insecure that I won’t be prepared for the zombie apocalypse! You should definitely give the bag organizer another go though. I simply can’t live without it!

Given 4-5 different bag organisers a try Arpita, none of them work! Primarily because most of them are too small LOL Which one do you use? I can’t really carry small bags either. I tried, but by the time I fit my wallet, phone and keys in there, it’s already full to bursting! I don’t know how people do it (Actually I do – it’s called using a smaller wallet 😛 )

I bought this random organizer from the Plaza Mont Kiara market and it’s awesome! It expands quite a bit so it makes me happy. It’s got infinite slots for pens, which is a necessity because I need as many as possible to stab zombies with during the upcoming apocalypse. If something forces you the change your habits, it’s wrong, so no to smaller wallets/bags! This is why I hate clutches! They can’t fit my life into them!

Ah an expanding organisers makes so much sense!! And yes, carrying lots of pens does too. I swear my bag is a pen black hole – pens just disappear in there and I can never find one when I need it. But try to clear out the bag and there they are huddling in a corner. Tsk! Can’t quite handle cluthes either (especially if they can’t fit my phone which is most clutches) but I can’t deny I love looking at them!

Bingo on all except for the cheque book and the red ang pow. Who writes cheques anymore anyways..??? tsk!

Receipts on the other hand are everywhere, but never there when its time to submit for claims. The sad part is that many of those receipts that has fizzled into fat air are my Singapore taxi receipts!! ouch!!

Hahaha I do! Write cheques I mean LOL Credit limit doesn’t go high enough for certain expenditures 😛 Oh yes, I always find myself tossing out receipts at the most inoportune times. When I need them, that’s when I realise it’s gone and that’s also when I realise I need the receipt to effect an exchange >.<

I have an umbrella coz’ i hate to ever be caught in the rain. I also carry a pouch of medications coz’ i do not take chances for feeling down while i’m on the go. Water bottle too. I get dehydrated all the time.

Good call on the umbrella – I’ve never thought to carry one! But then I suppose it’s coz I drive from place to place 😀 I have to practice carrying a small water bottle. So often I’ve been caught outside on the go without water and it’s torture!

Looks like for many of us, medium-big bags are the norm judging by the amount of stuff we carry! LOL How interesting that you and Lisa both mentioned umbrellas. Just not something I’d carry here I guess but I think that’s mostly because I drive here. Oh wait, I saw you carry an extra phone battery! Now talk about hardcore! LOL

Hah! Totally get your logic – bigger the bag more amount of cr*p you carry around. I was lugging around large tote bags, used to bring everything and kitchen sink and evvvery item of makeup imagineable y, know ‘just in case’.
Have since streamlined everything into long strapped envelope bags. And agree about fussy upkeeping of lambskin, I’m too scared to using my givenchy tote incase it gets stained by rainwater haha..

Loved sneakpeeking, being a bag and makeup-fiend it was fun. Lovelovelove the bag. Tho the makeup voyeur in me Would’ve liked to have a peek at the lippies to ooh-aah over. Haha^^

HAHA I totally get you Su! When I carry a larger bag I always feel like I have to justify it by filling it up and then I wonder why my back or shoulders hurt LOL! 😀 Oh are the Givenchy bags lambskin? I wasn’t aware of that. Haven’t checked out Givenchy to be honest, but the new designs do look mighty tempting! I still can’t do envelope bags, mostly I think coz I carry a lot of bulk if not lot of things but I’m going to streamline my makeup pouch and keep it small so I don’t get tempted to put another lipstick in there “Just in case” 😀 I actually forgot to take pix of the contents of my makeup pouch haha! Wait, I’ll do that in another post maybe – it’s just embarrasing to do a “What’s in my makeup pouch” post and then show everyone it’s just lipsticks instead of a bevy of makeup haha 😀